Cute and Quirky Stenciled Paper Dolls!

You're neve too old to play with dolls! You can have fun making (and playing with) whimsical paper dolls like these that can be easily made with my Paper Doll Stencil S959.

I loved paper dolls as a child, but there were a couple things that drove me crazy: they were stuck in one pose forever, and the clothes had little tabs that usually ripped off or never worked quite right. With an interest in fabric design, fibers, portrait painting, and fashion, making dolls was a natural step in my art career.

I tried all kinds of sources to find just the perfect paper doll. Some were too tall and thin, some too adult, some to campy or retro, and some too small or plain. So, I finally decided to create my own stencil and design the body parts just the way I always wanted. 

Here is my paper doll stencil S959. Beside it are three faces: on the bottom, the original school photo (guess who?!) that was used to create the face stencil; in the middle, the face stenciled with black ink; and on the top, the face stenciled with black ink plus some purple and pink accents.

I made sure that the arms and legs and head were separate pieces so that once they were traced, cut, and put together with small brads, the parts would be moveable and poseable.

Over the years I have amassed quite a collection of doll parts. Some are from online sources, some are vintage paper doll pieces, some are faces cut from magazines, and some are portraits I have painted, then scanned, reduced to 2" high, and printed. For this group of dolls, I used the little girl on the stencil to create three very different faces. I also used a quirky blue moon face from ArtTeaLife and a kitten doll head from JLeelo. In addition to my own stencil design for the body shape, I used a 2.5" x 3.5" artist trading card and small number 5 shipping tag as bodies.

I often use up my paper scraps for the arms and legs, then mix and match them to create unusual dolls. However, for this batch of dolls, I wanted to create an allover pattern that could be cut up for many of the body parts. So, I decided to use my ATC Mixup stencil L852. That stencil is quite a good "bang for the buck" since it has 10 different designs on it. I used seven of the 10 designs to create an allover pattern. Here's how I did it: 

I set up my table with some of my favorite colors of acrylic paint, my stencil, cosmetic wedges, and a big piece of 140 lb. watercolor paper.

You may notice that I cut up my 9x12 ATC stencil. I live in a small apartment and my "studio" is a corner of my bedroom, so I don't have a lot of workspace or storage space. I find it easier to work with a small stencil, so I cut the pieces apart. After cutting, I used a few inches of clear packing tape along the edges to make them easier to handle, and also prevent accidental smudges. 

Here's the "before" picture of my ATC Mixup stencil:

I started by stenciling the tile design (bottom right) in aqua and the tulip (bottom center) in pink. I didn't measure or plan the design, I just went by eye and instinct.

Next, I added the lily (middle right on the ATC Mixup stencil) in green and the loose mum (bottom left) in yellow.

To unite the shapes and create an overall design, I added my small patterns: the "ditsy floral" (on the top right of the ATC Mixup) and the "dobbie" (top left) in purple and yellow to the space between the larger patterns. I also used both of the small patterns in white on top of the aqua, pink, and green to soften the look and make the pattern more complex.

This shows the nearly complete allover stenciled pattern as well as some of the stencils I used. 

Here's the finished design. It almost seemed a shame to cut it up, but I fortunately I can output it from my color printer whenever I want!

To decide what part of the design I wanted to use for the central body shape, I moved my stencil around the paper until I found a section that would look good. Then, I carefully traced the lines of the body with a pencil, being careful to mark the little dots where the legs and arms would later join.

Here you can see my penciled outline of the body shape, with the tulip head centered in the middle of the chest. The dots are also there, where holes will be poked so the arms, legs, and head can be joined to the body with mini brads.

Above are some of the faces I created using the little girl's face on my paperdoll stencil. I used various inks and embossing powder, markers, paints, and chalk to achieve different looks. I also tried out some brads from The Eyelet Outlet that look like eyeglasses.

It is important to mark the little dots that are on the doll stencil's pieces--marking them carefully ensures that when you put the pieces together, they line up properly. After body parts are cut, poke a hole through the dots with an awl or darning needle. Then, connect the arms and legs to the body using mini brads. The brads come in many sizes, colors, and shapes. The brads allow the doll to be posed in many positions, which is way more fun than the old-fashioned paper dolls that were stuck in one position. 

The finished doll can be posed in any number of positions by rotating the body parts.

I had a lot of stenciled paper leftover, so I used some to make a doll with a shipping tag body. The face and shoes are from ArtTeaLife, arms from JLeelo, legs from Retro Café Art, and the butterfly hat is a stamp from Gwen Lafluer for PaperArtsy.

I had also used some randomly painted paper with black archival ink through my ATC Mixup stencil. Here's what I started with, and the doll I made using that paper. 

Here you can see the stencils from my ATC Mixup on the left, and the painted and stenciled paper on the right.

These are the stenciled pieces I considered using for my doll. I finally settled on the lily design for her body.

Above, the assorted body parts and other components I considered using for my doll.

The finished doll, complete with wings, a hat, and shoes.

Her face is from my stencil, but I added paint and posca markers to create a whimsical look. The wings are my ATC Mixup version of the Lemurian Leaf (center of the ATC Mixup stencil), done with gold embossing powder on black cardstock. I flipped the stencil over (carefully cleaning and drying the stencil after the first application of embossing ink so that there would be no accidental smudges) so the wings would be mirror images. I carefully cut around the black and gold leaves to create a wing shape. The hat and shoes are from The Graphics Fairy.

Next, I decided to make a folding ATC doll with some of my stenciled paper. Below are photos of the doll open, and folded up to 2.5" x 3.5". I used the stenciled allover pastel paper created with my ATC Mixup stencil, plus a few random stenciled arm and leg pieces from my stash. (I keep a tin of doll parts on my desk, and when I have small pretty scraps of paper, I cut doll body parts with them for future use.)

I added the face from my stencil, which was done in orange ink on a yellow cardstock, with white painted accents. The crown is a stamp by Gwen Lafluer, the wings are from Gwen's Boho Butterfly stencil, and the shoes are from The Graphics Fairy. I added the stamped word "dream" because she looked like a little girl with big dreams.

The folding ATC doll, open.

The folding ATC doll, closed.

If you have a pet, you'll love my last doll! I used a paperdoll cat face from J. Leelo, but you could also use a photo of your dog, cat, or other pet. I added a teacup from The Graphics Fairy as a hat.

While searching through my scrap bin, I found a stenciled shipping tag that I had intended to use as the cover for a small tag book. I never finished that book, but it called to me when I was looking for something to go with the cat face. I used an assortment of my ATC Mixup designs in coordinating pastel inks on both the front and back, so I cut body parts for the cat doll from both sides.

Here I am using a fat sewing needle to poke holes in the body so that the other parts can be joined to it using minibrads.

The cat doll is connected with tiny white heart-shaped mini brads.

I decided that the cat needed a skirt, so I "auditioned" some laces to make a little skirt. I cut the lace about twice as big as I needed, then gathered the top with a running stitch.

After gathering the lace, I glued the right side to the back and clipped it until dry. I arranged the gathers, then glued the other side and also clipped it until dry. Sometimes I put the skirt around the exact waist, sometimes I glue it at the bottom of the body. For the cat doll, I placed it just a little below the waist.

The finished cat doll, ready to dance and drink tea, and wearing her pretty lace skirt.

You're never too old to play with paper dolls, and it's also a great activity for children and teens. I hope you enjoy using my stencils, and have fun creating wonderful, whimsical, unique dolls of your own.

And here's the really great news: ALL my stencils are on sale for the next two weeks! Use the discount code LW20 for 20% off until March 4, 2025. 

Learn to Let Go~ an affirmation keepsake

Happy Heart Day friends;

Today I want to share with you a little heart keepsake that I was inspired to create using the I Am Words stencil created by Cat Kerr.

One thing to note about me is that I am a glass half full kind of girl and I am all about positive self talk, setting boundaries and self love.

The I Am Word stencil is all that for me as it serves as the perfect reminder and hence it was chosen to be the star of today’s project.

I will be using inks on an old canvas today but the project can also be made on fabric and with acrylic paints and a sponge rather than sprays.

Some slow stitches add another layer of interest as does the tattered edges.

For the tattered edges I used drop cloth ~ yes the kind you find at the hardware store!! 

Choose bits of fabric, lace, ribbon or simply leave it as is.

Think of the process as making a sandwich.

There is a bottom layer, a middle and a top layer! 

Let’s start:

Set the stencil on your fabric and apply paint or spray ink of your choice. I am working on canvas and decided to use Distress Spray stains

Now remember the sandwich reference- here are the steps.

*Cut out a heart from your stencil fabric

*Cut a piece of batting the same size

*Cut a third heart about 1/2” bigger than the stencilled one.    This will be the base.

 I used a piece of rescued denim. 

Now we will layer them together.

I used fabric glue to hold them together.

*glue the batting on to the base fabric. In this case the denim.

Next cut pieces of fabric that will serve as the tattered edges.

The length will depend on the size of heart. For this one I cut 2.5” strips and folded in half (just to save time pus it makes it easier to stitch)

With the fabric glue tack them all around the heart shape ensuring they overlap the batting just a bit.

Take the stencilled heart and with the glue tack on top of all this goodness.

I found using some pins to keep it secure also helped with the slow stitching. 

Stitch around the entire heart by hand or the sewing machine.

Now as I said up top, this step can be omitted but it does add a raw rustic feel which I love.

Lastly, add a positive note or several ~ that you can refer to when needed 💓

Thanks for stopping by and remember be kind to yourself because you are worth it!

Let’s connect Tina Hois Art

Supplies:

Stencil I AM words

Fabric

Batting

Inks or paint

Needle and thread

Fabric glue 

How to De-stash Without Filling a Landfill

My Art Desk is a HOT MESS.

When I had my shop, Ephemera Paducah, it was not unusual for customers who had amassed a large quantity of art or craft supplies to ask if they could unload on me — assuming we would use the supplies in the studio. 

The first time it happened was overwhelming. Mainly because of the sheer quantity of items but also because most items were unopened and some still had the Ephemera Paducah price tags on! This happened 2-3 times a year, most often when an artist had decided that a certain medium was no longer for her — dollmaking, paper crafts, quilting, etc.

After the first experience, I would accept donations but instead of increasing my stash, I would set up tables on the patio under the overhang to house them. My staff and I would cull through what we thought the studio “needed” or we wanted, after which I contacted a list of local public school art teachers letting them know they could take all that they desired. Miraculously all of the supplies found good homes that way.

I’m 62 and looking around my studio I have a lot of stuff. I am seeing de-stashes online from folks my age as we come to conclusions like: “I am never going to make jewelry so what am I going to do with all these beads?” Or “No, I am NEVER going to use that scrapbook paper.”

An Indoor Art supply Yard Sale hosted at Ephemera before closing

And, I still get enticed by new-to-me art supplies, as one does.

Not every small independent art store can handle a personal de-stash so I’ve researched some options for you if you are thinking about narrowing your focus or unloading supplies that do not bring you joy.

Although there is not one in my hometown of Paducah I know of two “Creative Reuse Centers” in Nashville, SMART and Turnip Green. I had a friend drive a carload of supplies from Murphy, NC to SMART and they were excited to see her walk in the door! Mary Beth recently posted about the St. Louis Teacher’s Recycle Center above her Studio! Lucky girl! The point is, there may be a Creative Reuse Center close to you to donate OR shop!

You know as well as I do that public school teachers use their funds to help stock their classrooms and studios. Get to know these awesome folks and see if they need any of your stash!

Create an event with your art buddies! I have a friend who is a masterful yard sale shopper/trader. She hosted an annual event that involved about 20 friends at a Swap Your Accessories Party. This could easily be tailored for arts & crafts supplies! Have each of your guests package up their unwanted or unloved supplies in bundles that would go for $10 at a garage sale. Here is a great outline to get started: Throw a Swap Party Send any leftovers to after-school programs, Creative Reuse Centers, or Teachers.

 
Ask the host of your next in-person class, crop, or regular art get-together if you could arrange a swap for specific items. Oh, I don’t know, let’s say you have stencils that you have never figured out how to integrate into your style. I’m sure everyone has a couple. See if the other members of your group would like to trade stencils before or after your class. If your event is at a store, please ask permission before showing up with free giveaways!

Are you in online art groups? Create an art supply swap where everyone mails certain items to another person in the group. 

You might also get really adventurous and host a huge consignment sale event for nothing but Art and Craft Supplies. The Consignment Connection has hosted one for 10 years in Murfreesboro, TN, right outside of Nashville. 

Finally, so many “institutions” use art supplies to help people. Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Scout Troops, Rehab Facilities, Day Cares, Kid Sunday or Saturday School Classes, Women’s Shelters, Children’s Hospitals, Boy’s and Girls’s Clubs, Senior Citizen Centers, YMCAs — the list is almost endless. Just be polite and call before inundating them with supplies. 

Let me know ways to de-stash that I’ve missed or if you’ve had a great experience with someone’s discards!